We have seen many patients coming in complaining of serious pain, swelling, and even a feeling of weakness around their ankles. While there are a number of possible causes, hairline ankle fractures are often the cause. However, many patients are not familiar with hairline fractures, what causes them, and how they can treat them. So, EmergeOrtho-Blue Ridge Region’s orthopedists put together these simple FAQs all related to hairline ankle fractures. If you are experiencing ankle pain or weakness, it may be worth scanning these answers to see if you can get faster relief and get back to your activities sooner.
Q: What are hairline ankle fractures?
A: Also known as stress fractures or microfractures, hairline fractures are small cracks in the bones of the ankle often caused by repetitive stress or overuse. Stress fractures can occur in any of the three bones that make up the ankle joint: the tibia, fibula, and talus.
Q: What causes hairline fractures in the ankle?
A: People often experience hairline fractures from overuse or repetitive stress on the bones of the ankle. Activities that involve a lot of jumping, running, or other high-impact movements can put a lot of strain on the ankle bones, leading to these small cracks or fractures. Other risk factors include wearing poorly fitting shoes or having weak bones due to conditions like osteoporosis.
Q: What are the symptoms of a hairline ankle fracture?
A: While the symptoms of hairline fractures can vary from patient to patient, common symptoms include pain, swelling, and tenderness in the ankle area. The pain may be worse during activity or when bearing weight on the affected foot. Some people may also experience bruising or a feeling of instability or weakness in the ankle joint.
Q: Are there at-home treatment options for hairline fractures?
A: We recommend patients try some at-home treatments, including the RICE treatment (rest, ice, compression, and elevation). RICE should be started as soon as you notice pain and swelling in the affected ankle area to start the healing process.
- Rest: Try staying off your fractured ankle for 48 hours, if possible, or at least avoid putting unnecessary stress on it.
- Ice: Icing the painful ankle area 20 minutes at a time can help reduce swelling and inflammation.
- Compression: Wrapping the ankle with an elastic bandage (such as an Ace wrap) can help decrease swelling.
- Elevation: Keep your foot ankle raised slightly above your heart level as often as possible to reduce swelling and inflammation.
In addition to RICE, over-the-counter pain relievers like aspirin, Advil, or Aleve can help manage pain and discomfort.
Q: When should I see a doctor for my hairline fracture?
A: If at-home treatments do not relieve the pain, we suggest seeing an ankle specialist. Our board-certified, fellowship-trained ankle subspecialists may recommend a brace or cast to immobilize the ankle. Often, professional physical therapy can help speed up the healing process, too. In more severe cases, surgery may be necessary to repair the fracture and restore stability to the ankle joint.
Q: How does an orthopedist diagnose an ankle hairline fracture?
At EmergeOrtho, our board-certified physicians use state-of-the-art diagnostic technology and services in-house to diagnose a hairline ankle fracture, including advanced MRI scanners and digital X-rays. Since each of our centers is equipped with these specialized tools, our physicians get immediate, detailed images of the ankle area and can move quickly to an appropriate treatment plan.
Q: How long does a hairline broken ankle take to heal?
A: Healing times may vary from patient to patient, depending on the severity of the injury and a patient’s overall health. In general, most hairline fractures will heal within 6 to 8 weeks with proper treatment and rest. However, more severe fractures or those that do not receive proper treatment may take longer to heal and may require surgery.
Q: How can hairline ankle fractures be prevented?
A: There are several steps you can take to reduce your risk of fracturing your ankle, including:
- Wear well-fitting shoes that provide proper support and cushioning
- Gradually increase the intensity and duration of physical activity to avoid overuse injuries
- Strengthen the muscles and bones in your legs and ankles through regular exercise and a balanced diet
- Avoid high-impact activities that put a lot of stress on the ankle bones and joints
- Take breaks to allow your body to rest and recover after high-impact activities
Hairline ankle fractures can be painful and disruptive to daily life, but if detected and treated early, their impact on activities can be significantly reduced. If you feel ankle pain or discomfort and some of the at-home treatments mentioned above have not helped, request an appointment to see one of our ankle specialists and Emerge Stronger, Healthier, and Better with the help of EmergeOrtho-Blue Ridge Region.
